With reference to "Gucchi" sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements : 1. It is a fungus. 2. It grows in some Himalayan forest areas. 3. It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Defines fungi as non-green, chlorophyll‑lacking organisms and explicitly lists mushrooms as familiar examples of saprophytic fungi.

A student could check whether Gucchi is locally described or pictured as a mushroom (non‑green, growing on organic matter) to infer it likely belongs to fungi.

Directly refers to studying parts of a 'macro fungus mushroom', treating mushrooms as a type of macro fungus.

Compare morphological features of Gucchi (cap/stem/fruiting body) with those of 'macro fungus mushrooms' to judge if Gucchi is a fungus.

Gives clear examples of fungal types (yeast, mould) showing that common edible/visible organisms can be fungi.

Use the pattern that edible or familiar fungal forms (yeast, mould, mushrooms) are classified as fungi; ask if Gucchi fits one of these familiar forms.

States that yeasts are fungi and that some fungi are used in food, linking culinary/edible organisms to the fungal group.

If Gucchi is known as an edible item in cuisine, a student could test whether it is produced by a fungus (as with edible mushrooms/yeasts) by checking its common descriptions.

Describes vertical succession in the Himalayas and identifies a wet temperate forest zone (1,000–2,000 m) with broadleaf evergreen trees and pine—defines the altitude and moisture regime of montane forests.

A student could match Gucchi's known altitude/moisture preferences (from a field guide or map) to this 1,000–2,000 m wet temperate zone to judge possible occurrence.

Defines the Himalayan moist temperate forest type across west to east, listing broad‑leaved oaks, rhododendron and bamboo and noting heavier rainfall and dense vegetation in the east.

If Gucchi is associated with moist, broadleaf‑dominated temperate forests, one could infer likely presence in these moist temperate belts, especially in wetter eastern sectors.

Gives the general vertical zonation (subtropical mixed deciduous at foothills, temperate broad‑leaved in Lesser Himalayas, temperate coniferous ~3500 m), framing where different life zones occur with altitude.

A student could use this zonation plus a map of Himalayan elevations to locate specific zones where Gucchi might be expected if it prefers a particular life zone.

Highlights the eastern Himalayas' greater diversity (oaks, rhododendron, mixed wet evergreen, montane forests) and overall lush, wet conditions — indicating habitat heterogeneity and wetter microclimates.

Combine this with a map of the eastern Himalayas to focus searches in wetter, biodiverse tracts where moisture‑loving species (like many fungi) are more likely.

Notes that in north‑eastern hill states and slopes the main trees include chir pine, oak and rhododendron — an example list of species composing Himalayan hill forests.

Use such species lists to compare with habitat associations of Gucchi (if known to associate with oak/rhododendron stands) to narrow likely forest areas.

Notes that the highest diversity in cultivated plants is found in the Himalayas and North‑East India, indicating rich plant/fungal biodiversity in the region.

A student could use this to hypothesize that economically valuable wild fungi (like gucchi) occur there and check regional market/trade sources for commercial cultivation or collection.

Describes vegetation zonation in Himalayan foothills and lower mountains (deciduous to wet temperate forests) and mentions commercially useful tree species — indicating varied forest ecosystems at foothill altitudes.

One could compare the habitat preferences of gucchi/morels with these forest types and altitudes to judge whether foothills are ecologically suitable for cultivation.

Describes the temperate Himalayan region as having specialized horticulture (fruits, tree crops) and other crops in hilly areas, showing that specialty/ high‑value crops are grown in Himalayan hill agriculture.

Use this pattern to infer that if gucchi can be treated as a specialty crop, there is an agricultural precedent and infrastructure for commercialising niche hill products in the region.

Gives flora of Himalayan foothills (monsoon evergreen/semi‑evergreen, bamboo, tall grassy meadows), outlining typical habitats present in foothills.

Match gucchi ecological requirements (moist, forested foothill areas) with these described foothill habitats to assess likelihood of wild occurrence or feasibility of cultivation.

Notes traditional shifting cultivation (jhumming) across north‑eastern states, indicating prevailing land‑use practices and smallholder hill agriculture systems in the region.

A student could consider whether shifting cultivation patterns favour wild collection of gucchi over organized cultivation, and thus look for local market/extension efforts that might convert wild harvests into cultivation.