Final answer:
The author argues for the management of forest lands by pygmies due to their beneficial interactions with the environment and their deep knowledge of forest habitats.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author argues for the management of forest lands by pygmies because local or indigenous people have a long history of beneficial interactions with their environments. For example, the Miwok people in Yosemite burned, pruned, and selectively harvested their lands to create a highly managed landscape that benefited both the ecosystem and themselves. Additionally, pygmies have a deep knowledge and understanding of their forest habitats, which allows them to effectively manage the resources in a sustainable manner.