Drought and crop failure is a recurring phenomenon for the state of Gujarat and much has been done without success, to change it. In order to meet the situation and boost the agricultural economy in backward tribal regions of Gujarat, the Vadodara-based Bhasha Research and Publication Centre has launched 'Maali' - a water bank scheme. 'Maali', which in local parlance refers to a sacred place for storing water in tribal houses, is a participatory project for water harvesting, optimum utilisation of water resources and irrigation.