JAL allows FFP Members to Donate Miles to Curb Inner Mongolia Desertification

In June 2006, members of Japan Airlines' frequent flyer program - the JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) - will be able to donate miles awards from their accounts in support of “JAL SKY ECO”, a JAL Group - supported ecology initiative focused on China.

The JAL Group will start “JAL SKY ECO” initiatives from June 2006 when the airline will support through “JAL Miles For Eco”, the ‘Inner Mongolia Greening Project Against Desertification’ - an OISCA International (the OISCA Foundation) project.

JAL Mileage Bank members worldwide can participate in “JAL Miles For Eco” by making donations of 10,000 miles or in units of 10,000 miles. Counting one mile as one yen, the JAL Group will donate the equivalent amount in cash to the OISCA International project.

The Inner Mongolia Greening Project Against Desertification aspires to curb increasing desertification and to mitigate damage caused by the clouds of yellow sands created by the phenomenon. Clouds of yellow sand cause sand storms across China that also reach other countries, including Japan.

The project focuses on the Alxa region in Inner Mongolia where, during the past decade, up to 1,000 square kilometers of land has become desert due to adverse climate changes, rivers drying up and overgrazing.

Working closely together with local communities and government, the project aims to create a green belt that will curb desertification in this dry region through afforestation; the development of greenery planting techniques; environment-awareness building activities with the local population; and the creation of a locally supervised self-reliant and sustainable anti-desertification program.

The period for making donations is from June 5th through June 30th. Donations by Japan Region members can be made through the JAL's website. In other regions, JMB members can make donations by contacting their regional JMB call center.

The JAL Group will also provide OISCA International with funding for their projects and is currently discussing further ways in which it can assist this organization.

Founded in 1961, OISCA-International is a Non-Profit-Organization based in Tokyo, Japan, focused on environmentally sustainable development in countries throughout the Asia Pacific region. ‘OISCA’ is an acronym for ‘Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement.’

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