Revealing that over 8,000 sq km of Assam State's forest areas were under encroachment, Forest and Environment Minister Pradyut Bordoloi while attributing rising unemployment, illegal infiltration and insurgency to be the root causes behind the disturbing trend, urged scientists of the Rain Forest Research Institute here at Sotai Deovam to conduct need-based employment-oriented research, create joint forest management practices and involve local people in conservation efforts by spreading awareness.