Arrangement of Tourism Infrastructure in the Town of Vani
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SFG3426 V29 Arrangement of tourism infrastructure Public Disclosure Authorized in the town of Vani Environmental and Social Screening Report Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized August 2017 Public Disclosure Authorized Sub-Project Description The Sub-Project (SP) envisages the rehabilitation of 300 m² area of central park in Vani, located in the center of the town. The population and tourists, visiting the region use this park as a meeting place. However, the SP area is not well maintained and 25 previously installed lights are damaged. The park is not illuminated in the evenings and nights, walking paths are destroyed, the pavement at the nearby area is damaged. There are no benches and garbage receptacles. The municipality did not have enough funds to cover rehabilitation of the tourist infrastructure. However, if SP is implemented, the municipality will cover the maintenance costs, which are associated with significantly less expenses. This is confirmed in the letter provided by the municipality (Attachment 2). The SP envisages the rehabilitation of 300 m² area of central park, which is the property of the Vani municipality. The SP implementation will not result any impacts on any privately used land or assets. Works under the proposed SP include installation of lighting poles, arranging benches, small garbage receptacles and decorative pavements and installing wireless internet. The municipality of Vani has a great tourist potential. The most famous tourist attraction in the municipality is Otar Lortkipanidze State Archaeological Museum of Vani. After its full rehabilitation, which is expected to be completed in 2017, the museum will be one of the best in the Caucasus. There are a balneological resort of Sulori, which is famous for its thermal and mineral waters and several museums of famous Georgian poets in the municipality. According to the official data of Vani municipality and Georgian National Tourism Administration, more than 4,000 tourists visit Vani annually (about 800 are foreign tourists among others). The number of tourists has increased by 9% in 2016. Once rehabilitation of the Archaeological Museum is completed in 2017, the number of tourists will increase by 15-17%. The following activities are planned to be implemented within the SP: 1. Dismantling the existing edging and poles; 2. Installing 22 lighting posts on 900 m² area; 3. Installing 12 benches; 4. Installing 12 waste receptacles; 5. Installing wireless router; 6. Installing two-sided, illuminated light-box (height of the map will be 210 cm, width 115 cm and thickness 20 cm) with indications of historic places and tourist routes. Environmental Screening and Classification (A) Impact Identification Has sub-project a tangible impact on the The SP construction phase covers 3 months’ period. The SP environment? will have a small-scale and short-term impact on the environment only in the construction phase. What are the significant beneficial and adverse The SP will be environmentally neutral in the operation environmental effects of the sub-project? phase and is expected to have minor negative environmental impacts at the construction phase. As a result of installation of benches, lightening, waste receptacles, light-box, the dust and emissions from the operation of construction machinery will increase, background noise and vibration levels will rise insignificantly, various types of construction waste is expected to generate. However the flow of traffic will not be affected. Does the sub-project have any significant The long-term social impact of the SP will be beneficial and potential impact on the local communities? will result significant improvement of the social conditions of local population and tourists. Improved tourist infrastructure will contribute to the growth of the tourist and visitor flows. The implementation of the SP will result in the improvement of central part of the town. Increased number of tourists will provide an opportunity to local entrepreneurs to generate additional income through selling various goods and services to tourists. The entertainment center for children at Otar Lortkipanidze state Archaeological Museum of Vani will have an increased number of customers. Implementation of the SP will not require turning off electricity for local population, since there will be a separate electricity line provided for lighting of posts. Significant social impact of SP, such as change of local demographic structure and influx of new settlers is not envisaged. What impact has the sub-project on the human The dust, vibration and noise originated during the small- health? scale construction works will not have impact on the human health or safety. (B) Impact Mitigation What alternatives to the sub-project design have During the SP design, a no-project alternative was been considered and what mitigation measures considered and turned down as the implementation of the SP are proposed? will help attract both foreign visitors that will have a positive impact on the social conditions of the local population. Planned works will not cause cutting of trees and preventive measures will be undertaken to avoid any damage to the nearby standing trees. Reduction of adverse environmental impact during the installation works will be possible through protecting the following key conditions: fencing the construction site in the parks where the sculptures should be installed, fixing the relevant signs throughout the construction perimeter, proper management of waste and constant monitoring, ensuring the technical functionality of machinery used during construction works, selecting less sensitive period for construction works. If at any stage of the SP cycle the affected community members have complaints/ questions/ recommendations, these can be addressed to the sub-grantee, contractor, or Elkana, whose contact information will be made available at the SP site. Have concerned communities been involved During community mobilization, several priorities were and have their interests and knowledge been identified, including installation of artistic lighting in the adequately taken into consideration in sub- town center, renovation of central park and park on the Peace project preparation? Hill. Renovation of central park was prioritized by the community. (C) CATEGORIZATION AND CONCLUSION Conclusion of the environmental screening: ✓ Sub-project is declined □ ✓ Sub-project is accepted ■ ✓ Sub-project is classified as environmental Category B and needs EMP ■ ✓ Sub-project is classified as environmental Category C and does not need EMP □ Social Screening Social safeguards screening information Yes No 1 Is the information related to the affiliation, ownership and land use status of the sub-project site available and verifiable? (The screening cannot be ✓ completed until this is available) 2 Will the sub-project reduce people’s access to their economic resources, such as land, pasture, water, public services, sites of common public use or other ✓ resources that they depend on? 3 Will the sub-project result in resettlement of individuals or families or require the acquisition of land (public or private, temporarily or permanently) ✓ for its development? 4 Will the sub-project result in the temporary or permanent loss of crops, fruit trees and household infrastructure (such as ancillary facilities, fence, canal, ✓ granaries, outside toilets and kitchens, etc.)? If answer to any above question (except question 1) is “Yes”, then OP/BP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement is applicable and mitigation measures should follow this OP/BP 4.12 and the Resettlement Policy Framework Cultural resources safeguard screening information Yes No 5 Will the sub-project be implemented in the vicinity of a cultural heritage ✓ site? 6 Will the sub-project require excavation near any historical, archaeological ✓ or cultural heritage site? If answer to question 5 is “yes”, then OP/BP 4.11 Physical Cultural Resources is applicable. In this case, sub-project proponent must provide evidence that consultation was held with and an agreement on this sub- project was obtained from an authorized representative of culture and heritage protection authority. If answer to question 6 is “Yes”, then OP/BP 4.11 Physical Cultural Resources is applicable and possible chance finds must be handled in accordance with OP/BP and relevant procedures provided in this EMF. Environmental Management Plan Arrangement of tourism infrastructure in the town of Vani PART A: GENERAL PROJECT AND SITE INFORMATION INSTITUTIONAL & ADMINISTRATIVE Project title Empowering Poor Communities and Micro-Entrepreneurs in the Georgia Tourism Sector Sub-Project title The arrangement of tourism infrastructure in the town of Vani Scope of site-specific activity To arrange the tourist infrastructure in the town of Vani the following activities are planned to be implemented within the SP: • Dismantling the existing edging and poles; • Installing 22 lighting posts on 900 m² area; • Installing 12 benches; • Installing 12 waste receptacles; • Installing wireless router; • Installing two-sided, illuminated light-box (height of the map will be 210 cm, width 115 cm and thickness 20 cm) with indications of historic places and tourist routes. Institutional arrangements Task Team Leader: Safeguards Specialist: (WB) Gloria La Cava Darejan Kapanadze, Environment Rebecca Lacroix and David Jijelava, Social Implementation arrangements Implementing entity: Works supervisor: Works contractor: (Borrower) Biological Farming Biological