5 June 2008 was a significant day as we celebrate ‘World Enviornment Day’ which now has a much more meaning as we face great challenges such as global warming and its effects. Jetwing St Andrew's together with Gamini College in Nuwara Eliya took a step forward with the launch of JEEP (Jetwing Eternal Earth Programme) which is initiated by the Jetwing Group.

Students of the College were educated on the effects of global warming and necessary actions that we could all take to be a responsible citizen in this beautiful land. The aim was two fold. Firstly to educate the effects of global warming to school children as they are the key to a sustainable global environment and also to introduce earth saving practices to both students and children alike.

JEEP is an unique programme that was launched by the Jetwing group as we identify the effects of global warming to the tourism industry is greatly effected to population at large. Jetwing St Andrew's will collaborate with the Gamini College and set up a nursery of plants which is native as well as commercially viable.

Local as well as foreign tourists will be encouraged to buy JEEP merchandise as well as by investing in a plant for US$ 10 that will allow them to become a partner of an important process in saving the earth. We hope to buy these plants from the Nursery that we help to set up at Gamini College, Nuwara Eliya. Also, anyone has the opportunity of becoming project partners with a larger investment.

"We hope to work with Gamini College continuously for one year. Thereafter we will co-ordinate with the school to assist them in maintaining the nursery and in global warming and good earth saving practices. But our goal is much larger.

‘ We will continue to work with schools in and around Nuwara Eliya to publicise the messege of JEEP which is a wonderful concept. Already the response from Gamini College is overwhelming’. We also get such great assistance from the Principal of Gamini College which makes it even easier. This is only the start and we have a long way to go said Nadeera Weerasinghe, The Naturalist at Jetwing St Andrew's, Nuwara Eliya."

In addition to working with Gamini College in Nuwara Eliya, Jetwing St Andrew's have initiated the JEEP programme in Piyatissapura School in Nuwara Eliya as well. There is much support that is extended by The Forest Department of Nuwara Eliya in assisting us with this project The day was an eventful when both schools were invited to Kandeela Forest Education Center to give first hand information on composting and nursery management. Forest department also donatde seeds that will assist in starting up the nurseries in both schools.

‘JEEP programme gives us the opportunity to work very closely with the community at large. We strongly believe that all stakeholders of the local community are part of the JEEP programme and we encourage ideas as well as entertain invitations to do presentations on this very dynamic programme. Climate change is a reality’ said Renuka Coswatta, the GM of the St Andrew’s Hotel.

More information relating to JEEP can be found at www.eternalearth.net website.