India, Feb. 20 -- In a significant push to promote adventure tourism in Maharashtra, the state's tourism department is set to acquire the decommissioned naval warship INS Guldar, which will be deliberately sunk near the Nivati Rocks, off the coast of Vengurla in Sindhudurg District to create an artificial reef. This will be India's first artificial reef of its kind and aims to enhance the region's appeal as a scuba diving destination.

Decommissioned ships, including aircraft carriers, cruise ships, and warships, are often sunk worldwide to create artificial reefs. Notable examples include the USS Spiegel Grove, a US Navy landing ship sunk off Florida, and two Thai Royal Navy ships submerged in Chonburi, Thailand.

Before sinking, these v...