Through his voluminous work on aerial photography, he has carried out an important job of topographic documentation of these regions as well as awareness for heritage and environmental preservation amongst society. He has used infrared photography as a guide to assess the diseases of forests, status of pollution, depth of water and other scientific information. He recently carried out photography of Ladakh for documentation of Indus valley, mountains and lakes.

He has supervised and documented more than five presidential reviews of the navy. He has been the coordinator for navy day exhibitions for the last 12 years. He has also established "nature club" for naval officers, sailors and civilians.

Beyond his routine work, he has taken immense efforts to create awareness for heritage, nature and environmental preservation by holding exhibitions, talks & slideshows as well as workshops all over the country. He was able to spread the science of wildlife and nature photography through these workshops as well as carry forward the movement for heritage and environment preservation. He is the recipient of a special recognition award for the same.

He is the first Indian to publish books on aerial photography with mesmerizing views of our country. The book on Mumbai is in press. His book on Goa was widely appreciated all over the world and has been useful in promoting ecotourism in the country.

The total devotion, deep concern, intense love and affection for photography are apparent in his photographs. The infinite patience, the sensitive eye, the coolness of mind gets reflected in the photographic images. His photographs are technically perfect and aesthetically very pleasing and always reflecting his vitality. He has expressed his love for nature, ecology and environment preservation through the medium of photography, making it a tool for education, awareness and topographic documentation. He has let out his love for the country, its historical background and its natural beauty.

Gopal Bodhe is known for creating novel ideas into reality. Once any new concept gets to his mind, then he will do his best to give it a final shape and takes all precautions to see that his perception is very well appreciated. He is a photographer with a conscious mind and has always shown his concern about various awareness projects for heritage and nature preservation. By rendering service beyond the call of duty Gopal Bodhe has proved to be asset to the navy and our country. The creative challenges taken up and their successful culmination augured by sincere efforts, professionalism and innovative spirit are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy and Gopal Bodhe is deemed worthy of the award of "Padmashri" by the President of India.