INS Guldar to Be Sunk Off Sindhudurg for Scuba Tourism Boost

In a major push for adventure tourism in Maharashtra, the state’s tourism department will acquire the decommissioned naval warship INS Guldar and deliberately sink it near Nivati Rocks, Sindhudurg District. This initiative aims to create India’s first artificial reef to enhance scuba diving tourism while also promoting marine biodiversity. The project follows global examples of repurposing decommissioned ships as artificial reefs, like the USS Spiegel Grove in Florida and Thai Royal Navy ships in Chonburi.

Key Highlights

1. About the Project

• INS Guldar, an 83-meter-long Kumbhir-class landing ship, was commissioned in 1985 and decommissioned in January 2024.
• The Indian Navy provided the vessel free of cost after an earlier request for INS Vikrant was denied due to cost considerations.
• The ship will be transported from Port Blair to Karwar, undergo component removal, and finally be sunk near Nivati Rocks, Sindhudurg.

2. Environmental & Economic Benefits

• Marine biodiversity: Artificial reefs provide a habitat for fish and marine species, restoring damaged ecosystems.
• Tourism revenue: Examples from Florida show diving tourism generates ₹50 crore annually.
• Employment generation: The initiative will create jobs for scuba diving instructors, tourism operators, and retired naval personnel.

3. Safety & Environmental Precautions

• The ship will undergo complete decontamination before sinking.
• Pollutants like hydraulic and engine oils, asbestos, and hazardous materials will be removed.
• The process will take approximately three months to ensure safe submersion.

4. Maharashtra’s Plans for Scuba Tourism

• Sindhudurg is already a diving hub, promoted by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).
• The government plans to train divers to safely explore the sunken warship.
• A ₹20 crore project report has been prepared, and environmental clearances are underway.

5. Global Examples of Artificial Reefs

• USS Spiegel Grove (Florida, USA) – A US Navy landing ship sunk to create a diving site.
• Thai Royal Navy Ships (Thailand) – Two warships were submerged to enhance scuba diving tourism.
• Other countries like Australia, Canada, and European nations have successfully used this model.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	INS Guldar to Be Sunk Off Sindhudurg for Scuba Tourism Boost
Commissioned	1985
Location	Nivati Rocks, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra
Purpose	Artificial reef for scuba diving & marine conservation
Tourism Impact	Expected to boost scuba diving tourism and create jobs
Environmental Measures	Pollutants removed before sinking to protect marine life
Project Cost	₹20 crore (Estimated)
Global Examples	USS Spiegel Grove (USA), Thai Navy Ships (Thailand)