Public Disclosure Authorized Rehabilitation of the Historical Museum of Khoni Public Disclosure Authorized Environmental and Social Screening Report Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized March 2018 Sub-Project Description The Sub-Project (SP) will be implemented in the city of Khoni. Historical Museum is located in the center of the city, on the way to Okatse Canyon, making museum attractive to foreign, as well as to domestic tourists. According to the data of the National Tourism Agency of Georgia, an average of 700,000 tourists visit Imereti annually. The foreigners comprise approximately 25% of visitors, out of which at least 70% visit the city of Khoni, Okatse Canyon and Khoni Museum, which are included in tourist route of Khoni. In order to ensure the tourist flow in the city of Khoni increases further, it is necessary to further develop tourist infrastructure, protect the museum building and provide a secure environment. The Historical Museum of Khoni is located in the touristic zone. The museum was founded in 1981 and building is renowned for its architecture and location. The museum houses a rich collection of archaeological material of excavations in Khoni municipality, from the Paleolithic age to late Feudal age, including ceramics, copper, metal exhibits of bronze age, numismatic collections (one of the largest collections of Colchic Tetri in the VI century BC (990 units in total)), ethnographic material and other artifacts. The museum has an open-air exhibition space as well. Even though the renovation of the building has been carried out, the museum is not equipped with exposition equipment, cabinets, nightstands, exhibition platforms and lighting system. The exhibition halls lack arrangements for indoor climate control required for preservation of valuable exhibits. Some artifacts are stored in basement exposed to humidity and other deteriorating factors. An open air ethnographic exhibition, which is part of the Historical Museum, also requires upgrading and fencing. Within the SP implementation of the following is foreseen: • The new exhibition space will be arranged and exhibits will be displayed on exhibition platforms; • Information billboards will be installed; • The lighting system for exhibits will be installed; • The traditional house (Imeretian Oda) and mill will be placed in the open air ethnographic exhibition; • Paths and lightings will be arranged in the garden; • Fence and gate will be installed; • Two tables and benches will be arranged. As a result of activities envisaged by the SP, the historical museum will increase the number of tourists in Khoni. During the SP development, Khoni municipality and administration of the Museum actively supported the applicant by providing their input and necessary documents (e.g. property ownership document, cadaster map). During the construction phase, the employees of the museum will continue receiving salaries and their work will not be disrupted.Upon conclusion of the SP, Khoni municipality and administration of the Museum will take responsibility for covering maintenance and ongoing costs. Environmental Screening and Classification (A) Impact Identification Has sub-project a tangible impact on The SP construction phase covers 4 months. The SP will the environment? have a small-scale and short-term impact on the environment only in the construction/rehabilitation phase, while its long- term impact on the natural and social environment will be positive. What are the significant beneficial and The SP is expected to be neutral in terms of its long-term adverse environmental effects of the environmental impact. sub-project? The expected negative environmental and social impacts are likely to be short-term. During works in the Museum building and garden, dust and emissions from the operation of construction machinery will be generated. Noise and vibration nuisance will be insignificant. Small amount of construction waste will be generated. During the operation phase, the improved infrastructure will attract more tourists, which may result in additional generation of household waste and nuisance to the nearby residents in case of improper behavior of visitors (loud music, drinking, etc.). Does the sub-project have any The long-term social impact of the SP will be beneficial for significant potential impact on the local local population, who will increase their income by selling communities? various goods and services to tourists. As a result of the SP implementation around 122,500 foreign visitors will be served each year. The Historical Museum building of Khoni and its ethno museum located in the open space, represent the physical environment of the SP development. The museum will be fully rehabilitated within the project, its garden will be well- arranged and new exhibition space organized, exhibits will be placed on showcases and wardrobes, exhibition platforms. The preventive conservation - lighting system will be installed, ethnography museum in the museum garden will be expanded. Namely, an Imeretian Oda house and mill will be arranged in the garden, paths will be arranged, night lights and garden fence and gate will be installed. The information billboard will be placed in the center of the city. After performing the planned activities within the SP, the tourist zone of Khoni, especially the Historic Museum of Khoni, will become more attractive and comfortable that will increase tourists' interest to the museum, as well as to the region, municipality and history generally. The improved and attractive tourist infrastructure will facilitate the creation of a comfortable environment for tourists, the ethno museum will bring a new life to the museum, increase the number of visitors in the museum, which will lead to the development of new and existing tourism services (fast food facility, souvenir production and sale and etc.). The improved infrastructure will ensure the protection growth of the museum exhibits and support museum staff to display new exhibits (which are presently in stores). At the same time, updating of the exhibits and their replenishment will increase the tourists' interest to the museum. Significant social impact of SP, such as change of local demographic structure and influx of new settlers is not envisaged. Implementation of the SP will not require turning off electricity for local population, since there is a separate electricity line provided for the museum. If before, during or after SP implementation concerned 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. What impact has the sub-project on the The dust, vibration and noise originated during the small- human health? scale construction works will not have impact on the human health or safety. (B) Impact Mitigation What alternatives to the sub-project During the SP design, a no-project alternative was considered and design have been considered and what turned down as the implementation of the SP will help attract both, mitigation measures are proposed? the local and foreign visitors that will have a positive impact on the social condition of the local population. Reduction of adverse environmental impact during the installation/construction works will be possible through protecting the following key conditions: fencing the construction site and fixing the relevant signs throughout its perimeter, proper management of waste, ensuring the technical functionality of machinery used during the construction works, selecting less sensitive period for construction works. Planned works will not cause cutting of trees and preventive measures will be undertaken to avoid any damage to the nearby standing trees. Large trees on and in the vicinity of the construction activities shall be marked and cordoned off with fencing, their root system protected, and any damage to the trees avoided. In case of chance finds, works will be taken on hold and notification be sent to the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia. Works will resume only upon written consent of the Ministry. Have concerned communities been During community mobilization, several priorities were identified, involved and have their interests and including installation of outdoor illumination in surrounding knowledge been adequately taken into villages, construction of picnic areas, and rehabilitation of the consideration in sub-project Historical Museum of Khoni. Rehabilitation of Historical Museum preparation? (Present SP) and arrangement of picnic spots long touristic trails were selected. For the latter, another SP has been prepared and submitted for grant funding. (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