<P> The impounded water of the Koyna Dam though has submerged a significant amount of rain forest of the Western Ghats, it has helped a lot to the surrounding forest by supplying water all round the year . Hence a wide biodiversity of plants and animals is observed in the evergreen forest surrounding the reservoir area . </P> <P> Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary has dense forests with three major sections, Vasota, Maharkhor and Indavli Met, and the sanctuary is endowed with natural protective boundaries--Shivasagar Lake on one side, and the slopes of the Western Ghats on both the sides . This protective cover has enabled the emergence of a diverse variety of flora and fauna in the sanctuary . Some of the endangered species of trees found in the sanctuary are Dhup (Boswellia serrata), Euphorbia longan, and Elaeocarpus spp., apart from many other species of trees . The sanctuary has a diverse variety of fauna including tigers and panthers; gaurs and sambars; barking and mouse deer; pythons and cobras; common langurs and Indian giant squirrels . Many species of birds are found in the sanctuary including brown capped woodpecker; Asian fairy bluebird; and crested goshawk . </P> <P> Another attraction of the sanctuary is Vasota Fort which lies deep in the forest and is located at a height of 1,120 m (3,675 ft) above sea level . The legend states that the fort was constructed by Malwa king Raja Bhoja in 1170 . </P> <P> When the project work was almost nearing completion, on 10 April 1960, the then Prime Minister of India Pdt . Jawaharlal Nehru visited Koyna Project . To commemorate this event a tablow was unveiled at his gracious hands on the right flank hillock of Koyna Dam . This project came up with an idea of immortalising this place and this event by constructing a beautiful park and naming it as "Nehru Memorial Park". This park is a major attraction for tourists . An upstream side view of dam is visible from this garden . There is an auditorium named' Yashogatha' (meaning: story of success) which reviles a small element of the tremendous efforts taken by the engineers and workers associated with project . It is one of the most beauty in satara . & success of india . </P>

The largest size of hydroelectric unit in india is