Middle-aged Godrej executive at a recent outdoor training programme at a Mahabaleshwar camp site. Companies freely spend lakh on a single course

Employees tend to feel adrift and questions go unanswered when a raft of senior execs quit. In October 2000, Pune's Zensar Technologies-a joint venture between the RPG Group and UK-based software company ICL with markets as far afield as Portugal and China-was in this predicament and wanted to reassure its flock.

So, it went trekking. And rappelling. And rock-climbing.

Over the next 14 months, Zensar spent Rs 35 lakh on outdoor training and bonding. ''We discovered that it facilitated an opening up of (communication) channels,'' says Bala Narayan, Vice President (HR). ''All in all, a great team-builder.'' Now, it's known that outdoorsy stuff often does all this. And the mecca for such activities is Pune, a city that nestles in a cradle of nature and sees a rush for the trails every weekend. From enthusiastic young execs brought up on big-sky National Geographic visions, to somewhat hesitant middle-aged managers pushed by their human resources departments; from infotech companies to grand dames like Godrej, nature clients are aplenty. Take a look at some nature bills. Kirloskar Oil Engines spent about Rs 17 lakh for programmes with one company, Rs 9.6 lakh with another. Taj Hotels: Rs 5.3 lakh. Mercedes-Benz: Rs 2.4 lakh.

Hills, valleys, bluffs, beaches, and ancient Maratha forts make up a smorgasbord of offerings to not just companies looking to utilise the mantra of outdoor management, but also execs looking for rugged recreation. Trekking is a far better option than the same old TV serials, restaurants, and night spots, reasons Amit Thakral, 23, an Infosys engineer. ''It's peaceful, allows you to think, and learn.'' Infosys actually has a ''trekking committee'' that tracks trek offerings and informs its members. It's part of an endless citywide chain of information.

Many nature entrepreneurs have decided to forsake the corporate life themselves to cater to the recreational needs of executives

Not surprisingly, Pune is witnessing a rush of nature-entrepreneurs-once content with school groups-cashing in on the business provided by local business and, of course, from big sister Mumbai. Five years ago there were only two or three such groups, now there are 20 at least, says Denita Daniels, Director of the World Wide Fund for Nature, Pune.

Vasant Limaye, an archetypal swarthy outdoorsman with close-cropped hair and multi-utility jacket, is Managing Director of High Places, the company that Zensar depended on to develop nature programmes for its execs. When it began in 1985, High Places largely catered to Himalayan travel. Three years later, it held its first corporate ''outdoor training programme''. By 1990, its revenues were a piffling Rs 15 lakh.

The three corporate programmes it offered then have mushroomed to 130 today, and turnover has touched Rs 1.5 crore. ''When people consider outdoor training, they tend to emphasise the aspect of adventure,'' says Limaye, who is adept at corporatespeak. ''What we are concerned with is the developmental aspect-and in using managerial techniques to customise our programmes.''

Many nature entrepreneurs have forsaken the corporate life themselves to cater to corporate nature needs. Uday Mazgaonkar, 38, an MBA who quit his job as territory manager of icim, now brings in Mumbai corporates who find Pune's rugged Sahyadri mountains perfect for weekend programmes, which in Mazgaonkar's words, ''allow each individual an equal opportunity to offer and receive fun-filled and honest feedback in a non-threatening atmosphere.''

Corporate naturespeak is rapidly acquired by the greenhorns as well. Gaurav Purohit, 24, a management student who began his adventure company, Foliage, three years ago, has crisil on his client list and is aware that he needs more big names to scale his business (revenues for 2002 were Rs 20 lakh). No longer will school groups do. The boardroom is the limit.