Bihar - Ministry of Environment and Forests

9.2 Moti Jheel
Wetland Type: Ox-bow Lake
IRS P6 LISS-III Post-monsoon (19/11/2006)
Name: Moti Jheel
Location: 26º 38’ 00” N, 84º 55’ 00”E (central
coordinates)
District: Purba Champaran
Moti Jheel is one of the important ox-bow lakes in the
state of Bihar. The formation appears to the part of
Dhanuati river passing very close to it. The region has
several ox-bow lakes which were cut of from the main
river due to channel migration and fluvial processes.
Tropical monsoon climate typical of the middle
Gangetic plain with hot summer and cold winter.
G R NIR
MNDWI NDPI NDVI
Area: 130 ha
Water quality: pH: 6.9 Turbidity: 32.7 NTU
Flora: Presence of significant area under
macrophytes is observed. Eichhornia crassipes is the
dominant macrophyte.along with filamentous algae.
Fauna: Large number of migratory and resident
avifauna visit this wetland.
Fish: Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, catla catla, are
commonly found in this ox-bow lake.
Other Animals: Edible mollusc Pila globosa and
tortoise are common.
IRS P6 LISS-III Pre-monsoon (30/05/2007)
Threats to wetlands:
1. Infestation of aquatic vegetation
2. Encroachment for cultivation of paddy.
3. Contamination/eutrophication of wetland with
pesticides and fertilisers.
Open
water
Aquatic
vegetation
G R NIR
MNDWI NDPI NDVI
Plate 6 : Moti Jheel
188