Mirik has got all in itself to attract someone with it's scenaric beauty. This place is surrounded by huge alpine trees, ponds, lakes, mountains, beautifully decorated monasteries. This place is blessed with a pleasant atmosphere. This word Mirik comes from a
Lepcha word "
mir-yok" which means "
place burnt by fire".
Present lake area was once surrounded by sweet flag which is locally called "Bojho".
In the year 1969 west bengal tourism department officials started acquiring land from "Thurbo tea estates" in order to convert this place into a tourism place. This development work began in the year of 1974 under an vigilence of CM Siddhartha Shankar Ray, which was later inaugrated by Jyoti Basu in the year April 1979. Since then Mirik became the sub-divisional headquarters of Mirik sub-division.
"Thurbo tea estates" is one of the largest tea estates of Mirik out of 5 other tea estates.
Centre of attraction of this place is "
Sumendu lake" surrounded by a garden named "
Savitri Pushpaudyan" (after Savitri Thapa, a martyr soldier of INA) on one side and pine trees on the other, linked together by an arching footbridge called Indreni Pool (named after Indreni Thapa, a martyr soldier of INA). Lake side makes a perfect picnic spot.
In the year 2000 a study reveals that this lake has got a higher concentration of nutrients at some pockets of the lake. Which also increases human influences in system, hence it's water cannot be used alternatively for drinking purpose. "Rai dhap" is the source of drinking water for the residents of Mirik.
Highest point is the "
Boker Monastery" at about 1,768 m (5,801 ft).
Mirik is surrounded by coverlets of tea estates, orange orchards, cinnamon and cardamom plantations.
This place is the largest supplier of Oranges all over Wes Bengal.
Trekking from Mirik to Sandakphu, Phalut and a short trek from Mirik to Kurseong via Balasan river and Namsu are the most famous trekking routes.
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